NBA Best Bets & Player Props November 15: Julius Randle and the Knicks Take on the Hawks
There were ten games yesterday and there are eight games today. Some were blowouts, and some kept you on the edge of your seat. Of the eight games today, there are six teams playing in back-to-back games. They are; the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Lakers. Dallas, Orlando, and Minnesota are on the road, so perhaps be patient if you place bets on those games. As always betting is subject to new data, and live betting can be profitable. The nationally televised games are on ESPN, and the Boston Celtics play the Philadelphia 76ers. The tip-off is at 7:30 PM ET and today’s NBA Best Bets include a straight bet on the marque game.
Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks travel to Atlanta to play the Hawks. One is a top-scoring team, and one is a top-defensive team. The bookies have it a tightly contested match, and the money line is split evenly. A tight line leads to a prop bet for the night. There is also a prop bet in the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns as ‘the Suns big three’ play in their first game together.
Bet of the Night
Boston Celtics Money Line (-160 at BetMGM)
The Boston Celtics are fifth in points per game with 119.6, and the Philadelphia 76ers are third with 121.2. However, Boston allows the fourth fewest points per game (105.9). Philadelphia allows 111.7 which is 11th, and they are in the second of back-to-back games. That is more of an issue because they are still attempting to figure out their bench rotation, and in-game rhythm since the package trade of James Harden.
This is however more about Boston than Philadelphia. Boston has more rebounds per game, commits fewer fouls per game, and has the more rested team. It could still be a close game but Boston’s depth should be the difference in this game. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis are capable of big points. J. Brown and K. Porzingis are both questionable and it is something to monitor.
Prop Bets of the Night
Julius Randle OVER 9.5 Rebounds (-105 at BetMGM)
The New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks is the tightest line of the day. The Hawks are coming off a tough, contested game at Detroit last night for the NBA In-Season Tournament. All of Atlanta’s starters except Clint Capela played 34 minutes or more, Saddiq Bey played 27 minutes off the bench, and essentially Atlanta only used an eight-person rotation. They will be tired, and there will be missed shots from the Hawks.
This should benefit Randle who is averaging 10.3 rebounds per game, 13th overall in the Association. He has gone over this prop in seven of their ten games this season and should grab at least ten boards tonight. His scoring has been higher lately, he averages eight defensive rebounds per game and should cash in on the Hawks' tired legs.
Kevin Durant OVER 1.5 Threes made (-140 at DraftKings)
The big three of Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant will be on the court together for the first time this season. The mega superstar team that everyone discussed as preseason favorites will finally show their fans what they have been waiting to see. There is the discussion of D. Booker being on a minute count, but B. Beal and K. Durant have played together for three games. During those three games, K. Durant has gone over this prop every game and has sixteen total three-point attempts.
The Minnesota Timberwolves had a tough, hard-fought, battle (literally) last night. Four of their starters played 31 or more minutes, and the bench had extended minutes due to Jaden McDaniels being ejected after two minutes of play. The Timberwolves are underrated and have the best defense in the Association, but the Suns have scorers. In fact, their scorers can light it up without being close to the rim. Kevin Durant will likely stretch out Karl-Anthony Towns, who plays poor defense already and shoot over the Timberwolves' rim protectors. D. Booker coming back could help K. Durant with the best defender no longer playing against him, and he has always been an excellent spot-up shooter. This should be an exciting game and has a tipoff time of 9:00 PM ET.
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Thank you for reading.
Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
*All Bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise
Player News
Jaylen Brown received pain management injections in his right knee but is expected to be ready for the first round of the playoffs.
Brown, who has missed Boston’s last two games and will remain out for the season finale on Sunday, will have nearly two weeks between his final regular season appearance and Game 1 of their first round series. They will host either the Magic or the Hawks in the first round. It isn’t a good sign that he had to receive injections, but at this point, it isn’t expected to impact his postseason availability.
Dorian Finney-Smith shot 6-of-9 from the field in Friday’s win over the Rockets, scoring 18 points with three steals and six three-pointers in 30 minutes.
Friday’s victory secured the three-seed in the West for the Lakers, which would mean a second-round matchup with Houston if both teams got out of the first round. For that reason, Finney-Smith’s last two performances against the Rockets were notable. After shooting 6-of-11 from three in the Lakers’ March 31 win over Houston, he was 6-of-8 on Friday. From a fantasy standpoint, Finney-Smith provided the three-pointers and steals on Friday that many managers expect from him. We’ll see if he plays against Portland on Sunday, as nothing will be on the line for the Lakers.
Austin Reaves tallied 23 points (9-of-15 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and three three-pointers in 33 minutes in Friday’s win over the Rockets.
Luka Doncic recorded 39 points (13-of-19 FGs, 8-of-14 FTs), eight rebounds, seven assists, one steal and five three-pointers in 31 minutes in Friday’s win over the Rockets.
Reed Sheppard amassed 14 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block and four three-pointers in 41 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Lakers.
Cam Whitmore shot 13-of-19 from the field and 1-of-1 from the foul line in Friday’s loss to the Lakers, scoring 34 points with eight rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and seven three-pointers in 37 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Lakers.